# Preservation of prehistoric cave art in France > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/preservation-of-prehistoric-cave-art-in-france > Updated: 2026-10-29T03:49:30.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Research into prehistoric cave art in France has highlighted various methods and natural phenomena involved in the preservation of ancient works. In the Lascaux cave, which contains approximately 2,000 paintings estimated to be between 21,000 and 21,500 years old, authorities closed the site to the public in 1963 to prevent damage from humidity and carbon dioxide. To manage access, highly accurate replicas such as Lascaux II and Lascaux IV were established. Regarding the 37,000-year-old paintings in Chauvet Cave, scientists from Sorbonne Université and the CNRS discovered that a thin, translucent film of calcite has acted as a natural preservative for millennia. To study these fragile depictions of animals without disturbing the cave floor, researchers developed a non-contact method using ultraviolet fluorescence and portable spectrometers to analyze mineral deposits and artistic techniques. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-29: Chauvet Cave researchers discover natural calcite glaze protecting ancient art Researchers have identified a natural calcite film that has preserved 37,000-year-old cave paintings in France's Chauvet Cave, using UV fluorescence to study the art without physical contact. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chauvet-cave-researchers-discover-natural-calcite-glaze-protecting-ancient-art ### 2026-10-26: Lascaux Cave: History and preservation of prehistoric art The Lascaux cave in France, home to 21,000-year-old prehistoric art, remains closed to the public to prevent damage, though visitors can view detailed replicas like Lascaux IV. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lascaux-cave-history-and-preservation-of-prehistoric-art --- Cite as: Preservation of prehistoric cave art in France. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/preservation-of-prehistoric-cave-art-in-france